June 11-13, 2020 The Rough Rider Convention Center has been booked for the Convention. Two hotels, the Little Missouri Inn and Teddy’s Residen􀆟tial Suites, have been reserved with a room rate of $89.00 plus tax per night. Buses will be provided for transportation between the Convention Center and the hotels.

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Some past activities:

Sarah Granskou presented a family-friendly performance with music, story-telling, and interactive puppetry based in Scandinavian tradition at the Scan Centre on August 25th. Her husband accompanied the stories with his Setesdal-style fiddle, and their older son played jazz piano and sang harmony for one of Sarah’s songs. A talented family! Our lodge sponsored this event.

Congratulations:

Hurray for the Canadian team at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China! Scott Harrison (son of members Trish and Dean) and his teammate Steve placed third out of 34 international teams.

Here are links to news footage showing ice sculptors at work and photos of the festival.

2018

At last, my chance to see where Sons of Norway began. The convention headquarters was a modern hotel in Bloomington, just south of Minneapolis.

The optional leadership workshop on Aug. 15 was well attended and offered a great variety of speakers on subjects such as successful community service projects, taking good photos for the Viking, and using modern media.

In the evening Russ and I had dinner and a tour at the huge new Vikings football stadium (US Bank stadium). We glimpsed many areas one would never see if a game was on.

We used Thursday to explore the light rail system, from the hotel to the downtown terminus, then the line to St. Paul, ending at the beautifully refurbished train/bus station. The return trip included the Mall of America, just two stops past our hotel. In the evening charter buses took everyone to the historic Landmark Center in St. Paul for the President’s Reception.

The delegates met on Friday and Saturday to discuss resolutions and bylaw changes. The committees had worked diligently to group similar proposals together and make recommendations. In other cases, a variety of topics deemed uncontroversial were grouped together in a ‘consent agenda’. Any delegate could ask that an item be pulled for separate consideration. Simplification of the Norwegian and Canadian fee structures was part of a consent agenda and passed without comment. Beginning in 2020, individual memberships will rise to $58 Cdn. Of that amount, $10 comes back to the lodge and $8 to the District. Family memberships (all individuals living in the same household) will be $88 (with $20 to the lodge, $16 to the District). Current Golden Members will remain with their current reduction percentage of dues.

Ron Stubbings, of Port Coquitlam, BC, is our new International President! He cycled 2800 km, almost the entire route from Vancouver to Minneapolis, as a fundraiser for the Canadian and International Sons of Norway Foundations. Marci Larson and Elaine Nelson returned as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Mark Agerter is Vice-President.

Hamar, Norway, is the site of the International Convention in 2020, August 16-23. What a beautiful place to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Sons of Norway!

Thank you for the opportunity to represent Zone 4, District IV at the 2018 International Convention.

Syttende Mai – A cold, rainy day – so we kept ourselves and our flags dry and paraded indoors! Kids’ snacks and games followed, and a sold-out dinner for 70. It was a full evening, with speeches, choir, folk dancers, and bunad show. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. Link to photos here

Ellestad-WiikDuoJanuary 7 at the Scan Centre, Valhalla room. A most enjoyable afternoon of music and song – here’s hoping they will come back again.

2017

Ski for Light –Monday February 6. Thank you to lodge volunteers who provided lunch and transportation for visually-impaired skiers assembling at the Scan Centre.